Installation fixture for door control devices

ABSTRACT

An elongated rod is removably secured to the spindle or shaft of a door control device (such as a spindle-type door closer, for example) as an axial extension of the spindle or shaft. A supportable guiding means, which comprises an elongated sleeve member, is temporarily mounted to a door frame, preferably in place of one leaf of a hinge or pivot for pivotally supporting a door on a door frame, for guiding the rod vertically in proper relationship with the pivotal axis while permitting selective adjustment of the vertical position of the door control device relative to a floor or, in the case of an overhead door closer, relative to the upper door frame in which it is to be installed. Locking means is provided for releasably locking the rod to the guiding means at the selected vertical position. Accordingly, the door control device may be positioned at a selected vertical position and with its spindle in proper aligned relationship with the pivotal axis of the hinges or other pivotal supports for the door.

United States Patent [72] lmcntor WilliamA.(Tz.apar

Niles, [IL [21] Appl No 763.329 [22] Filed Sept. 27, 1968 [45] Patented June 22, 1971 [73] Assignee Rixson inc.

Franklin Park, Ill.

[54] INSTALLATION FIXTURE FOR DOOR CONTROL 3.182.989 5/1965 Colbert ABSTRACT: An elongated rod is removably secured to the spindle or shaft of a door control device (such as a spindletype door closer, for example) as an axial extension of the spindle or shaft. A supportable guiding means, which comprises an elongated sleeve member, is temporarily mounted to a door frame, preferably in place of one leaf of a hinge or pivot for pivotally supporting a door on a door frame, for guiding the rod vertically in proper relationship with the pivotal axis while permitting selective adjustment of the vertical position of the door control device relative to a floor or, in the case of an overhead door closer, relative to the upper door frame in which it is to be installed. Locking means is provided for releasably locking the rod to the guiding means at the selected vertical position. Accordingly, the door control device may be positioned at a selected vertical position and with its spindle in proper aligned relationship with the pivotal axis of the hinges or other pivotal supports for the door.

INSTALLATION FIXTURE FOR DOOR CONTROL DEVICES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to a fixture which facilitates positioning of a door control device, such as spindle-type door closer, a floor mounted door pivot, a door operator, or the like, at a selected vertical position relative to a floor surface or, in the case of an overhead door closer, relative to the upper door frame with the spindle or pivot in proper relationship with the axis of one or more hinges or pivots to be used to support a door for proper rotation relative to the door frame.

Considering, by way of example, a door control device such as door closer which is to be set in the flooring, such a closer is mounted in the floor on the pull side of a door, frequently in cement or concrete or in other seamless flooring, with its spindle extending above the level of the finished floor. For convenience, such a door control device may be referred to as a spindle-type door closer." In so mounting a spindle-type door closer, it is essential that the spindle axis be either in axial alignment with the hinge axis of the hinges or pivots which hinge the door for rotation relative to the door frame, or parallel to the hinge axis, depending on the type of arm for operating the spindle of the door closer. Otherwise, the door will bind at the hinges or pivots, or at the spindle of the door closer.

In addition, the vertical height of the door closer is important. For example, in most instances, the top of the outer case of the door closer should lie approximately at the level of the surface of the finished floor, allowing exposure of only the spindle and the lever ann, which is attached to the door and causes the moving door to rotate the spindle.

Frequently, installers have considerable difficulty in installing spindle-type door closure or other door control devices, at the proper level relative to the floor and with the rotational axis of the spindle in proper alignment relative to the axis of the pivotal door support means, such as pivots or hinges, particularly in cement or concrete or in other seamless flooring. Even if the proper position is achieved, the door closer is likely to be shifted from that position as cement or other suitable material is placed around it for securing the closer in the floor. In some instances wherein wooden door frames are used, some alleviation of the installation difficulty may be obtained by initially installing the door closer in the floor and then cutting and drilling the door frame to receive the hinges in proper alignment with the axis of the spindle. However, little leeway is allowed in positioning the hinges in such instances, owing to the necessity of closely interfitting the door frame and door, and in the main the difficulty remains. The difficulty is aggravated in instances involving metal channel-section door frames. Often door frames of this type are Precut and predrilled for the hinges, and, as a result, practically no leeway is allowed in positioning the hinges relative to the door frame.

Accordingly, there is a need for some expedient to substantially eliminate the foregoing misalignment difficulties and to facilitate the proper and prompt installation of a door control device such as a spindle-type door closer at the proper level relative to the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of this invention to provide a fixture which facilitates the proper installation of a door control device and eliminates the aforementioned difficulties.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a fixture which facilitates the installation of a door control device in such a way as to prevent the door from binding.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fixture which facilitates positioning the spindle of a spindle-type door closer or other door control device in proper alignment with the axis of one or more butt hinges or pivots (herein sometimes referred to as pivotal door support means) to be used to hinge the door for proper rotation relative to the door frame.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fixture which facilitates the installation in the floor of a door control device at the proper level relative to the floor or, in the case of an overhead closer, relative to the upper door frame and with the spindle axis disposed vertically.

A preferred form of such a fixture generally comprises an elongated rod or rodlike member, securing means for removable securing the rod to the spindle of the door control device as an axial extension of the spindle, and guiding means temporarily mounted to the door frame for guiding means temporarily mounted to the door frame for guiding the rod in axial alignment with the axes of the one or more butt hinges or pivots to be used to mount the door for proper rotation relative to the door frame, while permitting selective adjustment of the vertical position of the rod along the hinge or pivot axes. Accordingly, the door closer may be positioned at a selected vertical height with the spindle axis disposed vertically and in axial alignment with, or parallel to, the hinge or pivot.

The fixture may also include locking means for releasably locking the rod to the guiding means at any one ofa number of vertical positions of the rod along the hinge or pivot axis. Accordingly, the door control device may be supported during installation in the floor at a selected vertical height with the axis of its spindle in proper alignment with the hinge or pivot axis.

The guiding means comprises an elongated sleeve member, through which the rod is axially slidable, and a mounting member, which is integral with the sleeve member. While the mounting member could have a configuration corresponding to the configuration of one leaf of a hinge or pivot which is to be mounted to the door frame, it is only necessary that the mounting member be of a configuration which will have two holes through it which are aligned with two threaded holes in the frame. It is mounted temporarily to the door frame in place of such leaf with the longitudinal central axes of its sleeve member and the rod coinciding with the hinge or pivot axis. In a preferred form of the invention, the fixture is adaptable for positioning the door control unit at either the left or right side of the door frame.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention may be understood better from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of this invention, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a partly cutaway elevational view of a fixture which embodies the principles of the present invention, showing the fixture in association with a door control device such as a spindle-type door closer (fragmentarily shown) and a fixed support such as a door frame (fragmentarily shown);

FIG. 2 is a slightly enlarged sectional view, taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. I and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a door frame, showing the door closer held flush with the floor by the fixture and with the spindle in axial alignment with the hinge axis of the hinges to be used to hinge a door to the door frame;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 3, showing the fixture unsecured from the spindle of the door closer, with the door closer cemented in place in the floor;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, taken from the other side of the door frame from FIG. 4, showing the fixture removed from the door frame, with one hinge leaf of the lowermost door hinge installed on the door frame; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 5, showing the door closer connected with a door which is hinged to the door frame, the view being taken from the pull side of the door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings, the reference character indicates generally a fixture which constitutes the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The fixture 10 is designed to facilitate accurate positioning of a door control device, such as a spindle-type door closer 12, at a selected vertical position relative to the surface of a floor. In the preferred form, the fixture 10 not only controls the vertical position of the door closer 12 relative to the surface of a floor but also aligns the vertical axis of the spindle 14 with the axis of pivotal door support means which are illustrated as butt hinges 86 to be used to hinge a door 18 to a door frame 20 (FIG. 6).

The fixture 10 comprises an elongated rod or rodlike member 22, securing means 24 for removably securing the rod 22 to the spindle 14 as an axial extension of the spindle 14, and guiding means 26 adapted to be mounted temporarily to the door frame 20 for guiding the rod 22 in axial alignment with the hinge axis while permitting selective adjustment of the vertical position of the rod 22 along the hinge axis. By use of the fixture 10, the door closer 12 may be positioned at a selected vertical position with the axis of the spindle 14 in alignment with the hinge axis. It will be understood, however, that the fixture 10 could have its rodlike member 22 offset at the lower end in parallel relation to the upper end of rod 22 if it were desired to have the spindle axis parallel to the axis of the hinge rather than coaxial with the hinge axis. When in the claims appended hereto reference is made to the spindle being held with its axis in alignment with the hinge axis, that is to be understood as embracing either parallel or coaxial alignment, except where only one form of alignment is specified or would be practicable.

The door closer 12 may be any one of many known types which include internal spring means (not shown) and internal damping means (not shown). Opening and closing movement of the door 18 effects rotation of the spindle 14 through a lever arm 28 (Figure 6) which is attached to the door 18 and is connected to the spindle for rotating it when the door is rotated on its hinges. The internal spring means acts on the spindle 14 and tends to return the door to its closed position, and the internal damping means acts on the spindle 14 to dampen at least closing movement of the door 18. The mechanism of the door closer 12 is contained within a watertight outer case 30, access to which is obtained by means ofa cover plate 32 fitting within a recessed lip 34 in the case 30 (Figure 3). The spindle 14 extends upwardly through the cover plate 32 through a sealed bearing assembly 36. The exposed end por tion of the spindle 14 may be square in cross section and is drivingly connected with a square socket portion (not shown) of the lever arm 28 (FIG. 6) so as to be rotated by the arm when the door swings on its hinges. Details of the connection and other details of the construction of the door closer 12 are not a part of the present invention and various known structures may be employed.

As shown, the rod 22 is in the form of a hollow tube. It should be understood that, whereas some weight is saved by the use of a hollow tube, a solid rod may be used interchangeably therewith. Preferably, as in the present example, the rod 22 has a circular external shape in cross section, and the guiding means 26 has a mating internal passage in which the rod 22 may not only slide vertically out also may be rotated with respect to the guiding means 26. However, it is considered within the scope of the present invention to provide a noncircular rod, and guiding means shaped accordingly, in order that the rod may be selectively vertically positioned buy not rotated with respect to the guiding means.

The securing means 24 comprises a socket member 40 having an axial socket 42 slidably receiving the spindle l4, and a set screw 44 threadably engaging a threaded opening 46 in the lateral wall 48 of the socket member 40. The set screw 44 is adapted to bear against the spindle 14 when the exposed end of the spindle 14 is within the socket 42. The socket member 40 is secured to the rod 22 as an axial extension thereof, preferably in a permanent manner. Accordingly, the rod 22 may be removably secured to the spindle 14 with the axis of the spindle l4 coinciding with the longitudinal central axis of the rod 22.

The guiding means 26 comprises an elongated sleeve member 50, through which the rod 22 is axially slidable, and mounting means 52 for mounting the sleeve member 50 temporarily to the door frame 20 with the longitudinal central axis of the rod 22 coinciding with the hinge axis. Locking means 54 are provided for releasably locking the rod 22 to the guiding means 26 at a selected vertical position of the rod 22 along the hinge axis. Preferably, the locking means 54 is in the form ofa thumb screw 56 threadably engaging a threaded opening 58in the lateral wall 60 of the sleeve member 50. The thumb screw 56 is adapted to bear against the rod 22 and thereby hold the rod 22 with respect to the sleeve member 50. Accordingly, the spindle 14, and associated door closer 12, may be held at a selected vertical position relative to the surface of a floor, with the axis of the spindle in alignment with the hinge axis.

The mounting means 52 comprises a mounting member 66 of a shape to permit it to fit in the hinge mortise 67, such as may be provided in a preformed metal door frame. While the mounting means 52 could have a peripheral configuration corresponding to that of the hinge leaf which is to be used with the door it is only necessary that it be ofa shape to permit it to have two apertures on spaced axes which match the spacing of two threaded holes 69 provided at the hinge mortise.

Preferably, the mounting member 66, which is integral with v the sleeve member 50, has a thickness approximately equal to the thickness of two hinge leaves. The mounting member 66 is adapted to be mounted temporarily to the door frame 20 (Figures 2 and 3) in place of the fixed leaf of one of the butt hinges which is used to hinge the door 18 to the door frame (FIG. 6), with the longitudinal central axis of the rod 22 coinciding with the hinge axis. The same screws 70 which are to be used to mount the fixed hinge leaf to the door frame may be used in cooperation with the apertures 68 to mount the mounting member 66 temporarily to the door frame 20. By having the mounting member 66 twice the thickness ofa hinge leaf, the mounting member may be used with equal facility on either the left or right side ofa given door frame. It will be understood that the mounting means 52 can be made in various dimensions to correspond to standard sizes of butt hinges, or of portions thereof. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the use of the fixture 10 in installing the door closer 12 in a floor of cement or concrete or other seamless flooring. FIGS. 3 shows the preliminary hole 82 which first must be provided in a floor such as the cement floor 80 to accommodate the outer case 30 of the door closer l2. Owing tothe present invention, precise sizing and shaping of the hole 82 are unnecessary. Before the elongated rod 22 of the fixture 10 is secured to the spindle E4 of the door closer 12, the guiding means 26, by the mounting means 52 is mounted temporarily to the door frame 20 in place of the fixed leaf 84 of the lowermost hinge 86, preferably by the same screws to be used to mount the fixed leaf 84 to the door frame 20. Thereupon, with the elongated rod 22 in place in the elongated sleeve member 50, the rod 22 is secured to the spindle 14 of the door closer 12 as an axial extension of the spindle 14 by the securing means 24. With the locking means 54 released, that iswith the thumb screw 56 loosened, the rod 22 then is selectively vertically positioned, and rotated if necessary, to properly position the door closer 12 within the hole 82 in the fioor 80. Normally, the door closer 12 will be positioned with the cover plate 32 (FIG. I) approximately at the level of the surface of floor 80 and with the spindle disposed laterally of the door frame a short distance. After the door closer 12 has been properly positioned, the thumb screw 56 is tightened to releasably lock the rod 22 to the guiding means 26. See FIG. 3.

Thereupon grout, cement or other suitable material is packed into the hole 82 under and around the sides of case 30 of the door closer 12 until the case 30 is embedded in the flooring, with its cover plate exposed. After the cement has hardened sufficiently, the thumb screws 44 and 56 may be loosened and the rod 22 may be removed from the spindle 14 of the door closer l2.

Thereafter the guiding means 26 is removed from the door frame 20, thereby permitting removal of the entire fixture 10. The fixed leaf 84 of the lowermost hinge 86 is then replaced on the door frame. See FIGS. 5 and 6. If desired a conventional finish plate 88, which may be made of decorative brass or other suitable material, may be added over the cover plate 32 and the flooring around the case 30. See FIG. 4,

Accordingly, after the door 18 has been pivotally mounted to the door frame 20 upon the hinges, and after the lever arm 28 has been attached to the door 18 and connected to the spindle 14 ofthe door closer 12 (FIG, 6) for rotation with the spindle 14, the door 18 may be opened and closed upon the coincident axes of the hinges and the spindle 14 without binding What has been said above with respect to butt hinges is also applicable to offset pivots for supporting the door for rotation and when a hinge is referred to in the claims it will be understood to include other suitable pivotal door support means.

It should be evident from the foregoing discussion that the fixture of the present invention greatly facilitates the installation of a spindle-type door closer and eliminates the difficulties mentioned hereinbefore. It should be understood that the presently preferred embodiment of this invention has been described solely by way of example and that the installation fixture may be employed for positioning other door control devices.

lclaim:

l. A fixture which facilitates positioning a door control device at a selected vertical position relative to a floor surface or to an upper door frame with its spindle aligned with the hinge axis of one or more hinged leaves to be used to support a door relative to a door frame for rotation, comprising an elongated rod, securing means for removably securing said'rod to said spindle said securing means comprising a socket member having an axial socket slidably receiving said spindle and an adjustable screw threadably engaging a threaded opening in the lateral wall of said socket member and adapted to bear against said spindle when said spindle is within said socket, said socket member being secured to said rod as an axial extension of at least a portion of said rod, and guiding means adapted to be mounted temporarily to said door frame for guiding said rod vertically while maintaining said spindle in axial alignment with said axis and while permitting selective adjustment of the vertical position of said rod, whereby said door closer may be positioned at a selected vertical position with its spindle in axial alignment with said hinge axis to assure proper rotation relative to the door frame of a door mounted on the spindle.

2. The fixture of claim I wherein the axes of the spindle, socket and rod are coaxial.

3, A fixture which facilitates positioning a door control device at a selected vertical position relative to a floor surface or to an upper door frame with its spindle aligned with the hinge axis of one or more hinge leaves to be used to support a door relative to a door frame for rotation, comprising an elongated rod, securing means for removably securing said rod to said spindle and guiding means comprising an elongated sleeve member having said rod axially slidable therethrough,

said guiding means being adapted to be mounted temporarily to said door frame for guiding said rod vertically while maintaining said spindle in axial alignment with said axis and while permitting selective adjustment of the vertical position of said rod, and mounting means for mounting said sleeve member temporarily to said door frame with the elongated central axis of said sleeve coaxial with said hinge axis, said mounting means comprising a mounting member integral with said sleeve member and adapted to be mounted temporarily to said sleeve member and adapted to be mounted temporarily to said door frame in place of a bin e leaf which is to be mounted to said door frame, with the ongltudmal central axis of said sleeve member coaxial with said hinge axis, said mounting member having at least two apertures through it at locations corresponding to the locations of apertures in said hinge leaf, whereby said door closure may be positioned at a selected vertical position with its spindle in axial alignment with said hinge axis to assure proper rotation relative to the door frame of a door mounted on the spindle. 

1. A fixture which facilitates positioning a door control device at a selected vertical position relative to a floor surface or to an upper door frame with its spindle aligned with the hinge axis of one or more hinged leaves to be used to support a door relative to a door frame for rotation, comprising an elongated rod, securing means for removably securing said rod to said spindle said securing means comprising a socket member having an axial socket slidably receiving said spindle and an adjustable screw threadably engaging a threaded opening in the lateral wall of said socket member and adapted to bear against said spindle when said spindle is within said socket, said socket member being secured to said rod as an axial extension of at least a portion of said rod, and guiding means adapted to be mounted temporarily to said door frame for guiding said rod vertically while maintaining said spindle in axial alignment with said axis and while permitting selective adjustment of the vertical position of said rod, whereby said door closer may be positioned at a selected vertical position with its spindle in axial alignment with said hinge axis to assure proper rotation relative to the door frame of a door mounted on the spindle.
 2. The fixture of claim l wherein the axes of the spindle, socket and rod are coaxial.
 3. A fixture which facilitates positioning a door control device at a selected vertical position relative to a floor surface or to an upper door frame with its spindle aligned with the hinge axis of one or more hinge leaves to be used to support a door relative to a door frame for rotation, comprising an elongated rod, securing means for removably securing said rod to said spindle and guiding means comprising an elongated sleeve member having said rod axially slidable therethrough, said guiding means being adapted to be mounted temporarily to said door frame for guiding said rod vertically while maintaining said spindle in axial alignment with said axis and while permitting selective adjustment of the vertical position of said rod, and mounting means for mounting said sleeve member temporarily to said door frame with the elongated central axis of said sleeve coaxial with said hinge axis, said mounting means comprising a mounting member integral with said sleeve member and adapted to be mounted temporarily to said sleeve member and adapted to be mounted temporarily to said door frame in place of a hinge leaf which is to be mounted to said door frame, with the longitudinal central axis of said sleeve member coaxial with said hinge axis, said mounting member having at least two apertures through it at locations corresponding to the locations of apertures in said hinge leaf, whereby said door closure may be positioned at a selected vertical position with its spindle in axial alignment with said hinge axis to assure proper rotation relative to the door frame of a door mounted on the spindle. 